Dental care discussions and local services.
richardpianist
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Topics and replies this member has contributed.
RE: Safest way to clean bonding along the gumline?
I’d be cautious about treating the bleeding as simply gum inflammation. If it’s consistently localized around the bonding margin, plaque retention, an overhanging or poorly contoured restoration, or irritation from that ...
RE: Which floss brands actually last through the whole mouth?
I totally get what you mean about the coconut flavor - my brain just kept thinking I’d grabbed the wrong product from the bathroom shelf. I actually panicked a bit the first time Cocofloss got stuck between two tight tee...
RE: Swollen gums and braces: is this normal or just me?
Totally get where you’re coming from - my gums have been a mess since I got braces, and it’s like the more I brush and floss, the angrier they get. My ortho did mention switching to a toothpaste for sensitive gums, but h...
RE: Keeping that post-root canal cheek puff under control
I totally get the anxiety around the swelling - I was so worried I’d wake up with my whole face ballooned. I tried the frozen peas too but ended up with a soggy mess. Those clay packs really are a step up, and I swear by...
RE: How do you keep track of your gums between dentist visits?
That’s actually really reassuring to hear - sometimes I feel like I’m the only one who gets more stressed by all the “smart” gadgets. I tried one of those toothbrushes with the pressure sensor and app, and it just kept b...
RE: Why is it so hard to get consistent aftercare for a chipped tooth?
Ugh, the “wait and see” approach drives me nuts, especially when you’re already stressed about your kid’s teeth. I remember when I chipped my own tooth as a teenager - one dentist said it was fine, another wanted to do a...
RE: Sealants at the Dentist vs. School Clinic: Which Is Better for Your Wallet?
That’s really reassuring to hear. I’ve always worried that the school clinic sealants wouldn’t hold up as well, but maybe I’m just overthinking it. When my daughter’s dentist first suggested sealants, I was convinced it ...
RE: That first week after wisdom teeth removal… did anyone else swear by ice packs?
I totally relate to the freezer run marathon. I kept thinking there had to be a better way, like a magic wrap that just stays cold. My oral surgeon was all about ice too, but after day two my face felt way too tight and ...
RE: Making the switch: how I use my water flosser (and where I still mess up)
That feeling of “did I do this right?” is way too familiar. I used to stare at my gums in the mirror, convinced I’d missed a spot or made things worse. My hygienist told me some bleeding is actually normal when you’re fi...
RE: Weird sensations after getting braces off - how to make it less awkward?
That first meal without braces was almost comical for me - felt like my teeth were way too smooth, and I kept worrying I’d chip something just by biting into a soft roll. Sandwiches were tricky, but apples? Forget it. I ...
RE: The day my tongue cleaner became a secret weapon
I totally relate to that weird battery taste - honestly, it freaked me out at first and made me second-guess if I was doing something wrong. I tried the copper one too and, yeah, it was like having spare change in my mou...
RE: Tips for keeping sane after getting a dry socket
I get the urge to be super careful, but honestly, I think I went a little overboard with the salt water rinses and barely ate anything for days. Looking back, I wonder if being too cautious actually slowed things down fo...
RE: WOULD YOU NOTICE IF SOMETHING FELT "OFF" IN YOUR MOUTH?
That’s exactly what I’m worried about - I’m getting my first crown next week, and I keep imagining it’ll feel like a rock in there forever. I had a tiny filling once and even that felt huge for days. My tongue was obsess...
RE: If you could swap your dentures for implants, would you?
I totally get that feeling. I was in the same boat - my dentist laid out the implant option and it sounded like a huge deal, both money-wise and recovery-wise. I ended up going with dentures because I just couldn't wrap ...
RE: Weirdest Thing You’ve Learned About Braces Tightening?
I totally relate to the wax thing - my ortho handed me this tiny box and said it’d last “a while,” but the first week I was basically molding little mouth-guard sculptures with it just to survive eating toast. About the ...